Green growth and sustainable development

OECD and Rio+20

The outcomes of the Rio+20 conference identify many areas for further work to move towards sustainable development and a greener economy. The OECD stands ready to assist countries to tailor green growth to their specific circumstances in areas including, for example, reforming fossil fuel subsidies, greening jobs and skills, innovation, and ensuring the necessary financing is provided. Through its work programme on measuring well being and progress beyond GDP, including developing and applying green growth indicators, the OECD is supporting countries in tracking their progress. This will also contribute to future efforts on elaborating Sustainable Development Goals – a key outcome of Rio+20.

Rio+20 was also an opportunity to bring together people from around the world working on many exciting initiatives which are contributing to building greener economies. The OECD organised four side-events at Rio+20 and participated in over 40 others.

In today’s world, well-being is no longer a choice between a growing economy and a cleaner planet; it is about both. Ever since the Rio Earth Summit two decades ago, we have known that green and growth go together. With the Rio+20 anniversary summit scheduled for June, we must ensure that 2012 becomes the year of “making it happen”. The OECD Green Growth Strategy is assisting policymakers and stakeholders in addressing the major global environmental challenges, while expanding economic opportunities. - Angel Gurría, Secretary-General of the OECD, “Towards a positive legacy of a terrible crisis”